Ruth Hale Hart

She was born March 18, 1923 in Newport, Arkansas, the eldest of seven children born to Annie Augusta Hale.

She married Marcus Hart January 8, 1953 in Blytheville, Arkansas. No children were born from this union.

Mother Hart was baptized and joined the Church of God in Christ in New Madrid, Missouri at the age of 16. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Caruthersville, Missouri for many years serving in various capacities including church secretary. Later she was a founding member of Gospel Temple where she was a missionary and secretary. Her faith was strong and never wavered. She was well known for her gardening skills, cooking and canning. She would always bake a cake if she knew you were coming to visit.

Although she never had children, she was a mother to many. She became a surrogate mother to her sister, brothers, and cousins when their mother died at an early age. Her home was meager and resources were limited, but her heart was big. She never turned away a family member. Many lived with her from time to time. She was a church mother who loved children and worked with them through children programs at the church.

Mother Hart was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Mildred Williamson, her brothers Eugene, David, Roy Hale; and her cousin, James Sheard.

Left to cherish and share her memories are her brothers Frank Hale of Joliet, IL and Albert (Bonnie) Hale of Maywood, IL; cousins she grew up with Edward Sheard of Chicago, IL, Robert (Mattie) Sheard of Hayti, MO, Annie Hill of Lawton, OK and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

Funeral services were held January 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the Israel of God Church in Hayti, MO with Rev. Marvin Sheard officiating. Interment followed in Little Prairie Cemetery.